Between Wind And Fire

Leave

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room in place of it's former chatter. Elanda looked at the two men, Uriel's face twisted bitterly while Jirad winced as though the words stabbed into hin. She knew the wardens weren't too far away now, their investigation led them westwards from the village, straight to Jirad's hill.

"They draw closer, I can feel them." Said Jirad, his cheek twisting instinctually like a hunting hound catching the scent of blood.

Uriel could feel it too,  an echo of Vitaeric energy that grew louder and louder. "Elanda," muttered Uriel, "You need to leave."

Elanda was slightly taken back by the words, surprised by the sting they carried. What Uriel asked of her was the logical choice after all, any interference from her could mean death yet why did she wish to stay ? "But Uriel.." her mouth formed a small frown.

"I said leave," Uriel repeated, spitting out the words like venom, "Why do you wish to put yourself in such a position ? Why do you subject me to this...to this.."

"Subject you to what Uriel ?"

"We are just FRIENDS Elanda !" Uriel boomed, and the flood gates came crashing down, "you said it yourself Elanda, we are just FRIENDS, so why do you keep going above and beyond that ? Am I a toy to you Elanda, someone just to have around and discard once you've found someone more interesting ? By the gods Elanda I do not expect you to love someone as lowly as I but I am not just some pet that lives for your pity."

Elanda wanted to speak but Uriel shot a glare that told her he had not finished.

"So please Elanda I beg of you to stop treating me like I'm some beggar for sympathy, I am not a beggar, I...I am." Uriel felt a gentle palm resting firmly on his shoulder.

"I think she understands..." Jirad interjected, wishing to let the matter rest.

There was a pained look on Elanda's face, she knew Uriel had always been fond of her which is why his reaction confused her. There were times that she felt better about herself when she helped him, it reaffirmed that she was in fact a good person yet not once had she considered the misleading impression it would have left on Uriel. Like a child caught in an act, a wave of shame overcame her as she struggled to find the words to explain herself.

"I-I do...I just didn't know that..." Elanda stammered, almost choking on the words.

The anger that had momentarily possessed Uriel broke under the sight, he  knew he had gone overboard and his words did far more damage than he had anticipated. Reaching his hand out to console her, he hesitated. That might just make things worse. Yet during his hesitation he felt a push from behind him that surged him forward, forcing his hand to meet Elanda's shoulder as Uriel attempted to regain balance.

Jirad that bastard.

Elanda flinched at the sudden movement but her shoulder did not tense at Uriel's touch. Her gaze was kept low on the ground, trying to hide her teary eyes but slowly they rose. She still looked so beautiful. It was a sight Uriel would never forget. Slowly he leaned forward as his body began to move on its own accord, bringing Elanda into an embrace.

What the hell was he doing ?

Time had stood still. He could feel every heartbeat that threatened to burst from his ribs, but he also felt warm tears settle onto his thin tunic. He wanted to pull away, he had clearly overstepped his bound but two arms began to wrap themselves around his waist. The loose embrace soon became tight.

"Elanda..I'm sorry that I..." Uriel whispered as a thousand thoughts raced across his already pre-occupied mind. He had seen this moment before, in a dream once or perhaps twice. But when he awoke from these dreams an emptiness carved itself onto his heart that would never quite leave until a day or two, could he be dreaming now ?

"No, please don't apologise." Elanda mumbled, her head buried in Uriel's chest. "The truth is that.."

The sound of footsteps interrupted the tender exchange. Uriel wanted to hear the words so desperately, he had waited years to hear them. He would finally learn how she truly felt about him but like all good things, the words were seized from him at the last minute. For the noises in the distance grew louder, it was the chatter of men and the clattering of heavy armor.

They were here.